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Poverty reduction calls for corruption zero tolerance
2006-05-08 07:57:51
By Deogratias Mushi
Tanzania has put in place strategies and policies that focus on poverty reduction and economic growth. While attending the Wilton Park Conference in London recently, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro said such policies need among other things, transparency and good governance to flourish. Staff Writer Deogratias Mushi reviews the challenges posed by Dr. Migiro during the same symposium.
The government has identified areas in the poorer districts and regions, for the improvement of infrastructure and development of social services.
The move will eventually reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth,
One of the major projects included in this plan is the construction of tarmac roads to link-up all regions in the country, and enable farmers to transport their crops to various markets on time.
The government under the support of various international fund agencies is also running a grand water project that will enable residents of Mwanza, Shinyanga, Tabora and part of Singida town get constant supply of water from Lake Victoria.
The project is set to improve people’s economic conditions, as they will use the water in various economic activities like farming.
During the Wilton Park Conference that carried a theme, Africa-Drivers of Change, Dr. Migiro mentioned how Tanzania is fighting to reduce poverty, at the same time, speeding up its development.
She insisted that that transparency, good governance, strengthening of democratic institutions and zero tolerance of corruption would help the government improve wananchi’s living conditions.
Dr. Migiro’s views on how to fight corruption call for support from every government ministry, independent departments and public institutions to identify sources of sleaze in their institutions and work out an action program that will route out or minimize the incidences of dishonesty in their working places.
Fraud was a high agenda in the parties election manifesto during the election campaigns and the subsequent general election held last year. President Jakaya Kikwete himself has vowed to leave no stone unturned in this struggle.
Institutions like Anti Corruption Bureau (PCB) and the Ethics Commission, which are charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption in the country, should be assisted, so that they fulfil their tasks in the rightful manner.
On the other hand, the parliament has already enacted a number of legislation to assist society fight corruption. Chief Executives and public servants should be sacked from their employment, if they don’t perform to the expectation of the government.
Tanzania has made a step forward, as these efforts have started to have effect on the corruption issues.
For example, penalty for corruption is now very high, and public awareness of dishonesty is also creating an impact to people in their different responsibilities.
Donor countries and the International Financial Institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have in a way been satisfied with how the country is fighting poverty.
Tanzania’s track record of reform has restored donor confidence and paved the way for a support programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2000 and 2003, and considerable debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative.
Resources have been allocated to the strategic priority sectors like Education, Public Health, Water Supply, Infrastructure (roads), Agriculture, Judiciary, and HIV/AIDS.
The increased allocation of resources to these sectors has improved some poverty indicators, in particular a rapid increase in enrolment in basic education following the abolition of school fees and a significant increase in immunisation coverage of children under five.
However the current level of delivery of services still requires further improvement in quantity and quality.
Though there has been a small decline in the proportion of the population below the national poverty line, says Dr. Migiro, much more should be done. This is because, needs poverty decreased from 38.6 percent to 35.7 percent between 1991/92 and 2000/01.
That has led to the encouragement of community participation in identifying, planning and implementing development strategies right from the village level.
For example, domestically owned businesses have joined the nation’s fight against poverty.
It’s a vital means, for such businesses to prosper and survive, and the government should make it compulsory for all companies, including multinationals, to invest in social schemes.
During the Wilton Park conference, Dr. Migiro mentioned how the government is fighting against HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis, affirming that Tanzania is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, badly hit by Aids pandemic.
The established National Aids Commission (TACAIDS) with the responsibility of developing national strategies to combat HIV/Aids countrywide should be diffused in all districts, and struggle to distribute ARVs to the affected people whenever possible.
The World Bank and Global Fund for example have already assisted Tanzania with billions of shillings to help the country fight HIV/Aids.
Unless those entrusted with this money execute their duties responsibly and accountably, the plan to fight the pandemic will continue lagging behind.
The Wilson Park which has been influencing international decision-making for six decades might soon help solve the problem of conflict, which is a challenge confronting development efforts in countries like Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A move might lessen a problem of refugees who have continued seeking for asylum in Tanzania. Refugees are known to have degraded the environment in the western part of the country.
If such conflicts are not solved, says Dr. Migiro, no socio-economic development activities can meaningfully take place.
Concerning gender equality, the minister told the conference that Tanzania has to enhance the capacity of communities, women and men to bring about socio-economic development through effective participation in development activities.
Private established institutions like Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) should therefore ensure that equal rights and opportunities for women, men, girls and boys in all sectors are always perpetuated.
To fight poverty effectively, Tanzania still needs commitment and resources from domestic stakeholders and development partners in the medium term, simply because no meaningful development can be attained if the country itself is not at the driver’s seat.
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